[Choral Music] Recommended for Middle Schoolers! A Collection of Moving Choral Works & Choral Arrangements

DepartureMatsushita Kou

[N-Con 2018] The 85th NHK All-Japan School Choir Competition, Ishimine Elementary School – Set Piece 'Departure'

This piece was selected as the set song for the junior high school division of the 85th NHK All-Japan School Music Competition.

It sings directly about the conflicts and uncertainties of adolescence.

Adults who listen will be able to reflect on their own younger days and relate to it, while children who listen may feel at ease, as if they can open up about their worries.

U&ISakushi sakkyoku: Wakamatsu Kan

"U & I" Inzai Children’s Choir – 6th Regular Concert

A choral piece woven from a delicate, beautiful melody and heartwarming, gentle lyrics.

Composed by Kan Wakamatsu, it is arranged for three-part mixed chorus with piano accompaniment, tenderly singing of the small joys found in everyday life and the importance of time spent together.

Its calm melody and harmonies resonate as if embracing the singers’ hearts, at times powerful and at times gentle.

The warm harmonies spun by children’s pure voices are sure to captivate many listeners.

To the futuresakushi: tanikawa shuntarō/ sakkyoku: nobunaga takatomi

"To the Future" composed by Takafumi Nobunaga / Women's Choir Prunus

A choral piece by Shuntaro Tanikawa and Takatsugu Nobunaga whose calm yet powerful melody resonates in the heart.

With delicate word choices and beautiful harmonies, it delves deeply into reflections on life and the future.

Included on the album “Kanashimi wa Atarashii,” the work was premiered in June 2009 at the 45th Anniversary Special Regular Concert of the Saitama Prefectural Omiya High School Music Club.

Frequently performed at school choir competitions and regular concerts, it is highly regarded as a piece well-suited for women’s choirs.

budKobukuro

Wakayama Prefectural Tanabe High School Choir – (8) Tsubomi

Released in March 2007 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad,” this Kobukuro track powerfully portrays the bond with a mother.

Set to a warm, acoustic guitar–driven sound, it expresses both the sense of loss after losing someone dear and the strength to overcome it.

It won the 49th Japan Record Award, and in March 2008 it was selected as the entrance march for the opening ceremony of the 80th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, earning widespread affection.

It’s a song that resonates in memorable moments like school festivals and graduation ceremonies.

KanadeSukima Suichi

“Kanade” Eimei High School Choir Club

A beloved classic by Sukima Switch, distinguished by its beautiful piano tones and emotional vocals that gently embrace meetings and farewells.

Released in March 2004, this song has graced numerous tie-in works, including the film “Rough,” the Fuji TV drama “Sotsu Uta,” and commercials for Tokio Marine & Nichido Life Insurance.

Depicting the feeling that everyday life looks completely different after meeting someone special, this piece—when sung at graduations or choral festivals—will make the presence of the friends beside you feel even more precious and help create a wonderful stage.

riversakushi: hirai tamiko / sakkyoku: ishigeta fuyuki

River (Mixed Chorus) – Fuyuki Ishigeta

This is a gentle piece that overlays the quiet scene of a flowing river with the transience of life.

Created in 1985, it expresses the cycle of nature and the preciousness of life through its flowing melody and moving lyrics.

In addition to being included in junior high school music textbooks, it is performed at events such as choral competitions and graduation ceremonies.

Because it challenges expressive ability, it’s an ideal selection for choral competitions where not only pitch accuracy and technique but also understanding of the piece are evaluated.

running riverSakushi: Kanazawa Chieko / Sakkyoku: Kurosawa Yoshinori

Junior High School—Top Award Class: “The Running River”

The second piece of the choral suite “Wings of Water.” It overflows with a sense of speed and features dramatic dynamic contrasts.

As the title suggests, the piece conveys the river’s wild current and the spray of water through its tone and lyrics.

It is also known for having a difficult piano accompaniment.